As the mists around the ship lifted this morning, small chunks of floating ice (sometimes known as bergy bits) came into sight. These small blue icebergs were scattered around the steep glacial valley of Endicott Arm.
We travelled further up the valley and saw the source of the ice when Dawes Glacier came into view. Despite the persistent rain, we launched the expedition landing crafts and headed out for a closer look at the glacier. It did not disappoint! Between silent moments, with just the pattering of rain on the water, the glacier calved into the water with echoing booms. The only other sound was the sound of our Cocoa Boat as it came alongside each expedition land craft with cocoa and whipped cream – a warm welcome for the soaked glacier-watchers. Harbor seals stole peeks at us from around the ice as we headed back to the ship for a lunchtime break and some time to dry off and warm up.
As we headed back out towards the main channel, we took an impromptu peek at Fords Terror. This dangerous, narrow waterway cuts through to the steep glacial valley that John Muir originally called Yosemite Bay, and its resemblance to California’s Yosemite is indeed striking. Though the tides were not right for passage through the waterway, the impressive granite cliffs were enough to enjoy. As we headed back to the main waterway, the sun returned! We welcomed the blue skies, and watched a humpback whale feeding just before dinner.
